The Alpha's Four Hidden Heirs (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 43

But in order to know what to prepare I need to examine him. I was so concerned and anxious that I failed to catch the guilt that flashed through Franklin’s eyes.

“Where is Gavin?” I ask Samuel.

“I sent his off for the night, he’s been with the kids all day.” He tells me.

“Exactly and I need him to tell me when his stomachache started or do you know when it started?” I ask him and he glares at me.

“What are you trying to imply Miss. Edmund?” He asks me and I immediately realise how my words. could’ve been seen as condescending.

“I’m sorry Alpha Bowers, that’s not what I meant. I just need to know when the stomachache started.” I explain to him.

“I don’t know exactly, I would say when I got home this evening, it started but it wasn’t this bad then.” He

tells me.

“Ok. thank you. That helps.” I tell him.

Then I start thinking, for the stomachache to get worse this fast, it must be a bug or a virus.

“I need you to lift your shirt Franklin.” I tell him.

Franklin’s eyebrows furrowed. I could tell that he was hesitant. “It’s ok Franklin, just lift your shirt let me examine you.” I tell him.

He still looked uncertain and then he looked to Samuel, seeing if it was ok with him.

Samuel narrowed his eyes at his son.“Didn’t you hear what Ms. Edmund said, Franklin?” I mean even when his child is sick, he’s still a grump.

But that seemed to do the just because without further hesitation, Franklin gritted his teeth and did as he was told.

After feeling around his stomach, I was stumped. I know what a child’s stomach felt like when they had a stomachache, but I wasn’t finding anything.

Then I examined him once again and that’s when I realized that the child in front of me was faking his stomachache.

I put his shirt back down and I looked into his eyes and maintained eye contact for a few seconds until he lowered his head and averted his gaze, and I knew that he was guilty. But why?

How could he fake his sickness just to see me? He would get accused of crying wolf if he repeatedly does this. What will happen if he actually falls sick, and then his father decides to ignore him? I mean he’s

1/3

10:23 Sat, Nov 8 a

Chapter 43

capable of it.

+5 Free Coins

He turned over and looked at me and I could tell that he was anxious, I could smell it. He knew that I was

on to him.

“Natalie, L… I think I’m fine now,” he stuttered. “You’re really my medicine! Just the sight of you made my stomachache go away.” He gave me a big toothy smile and it was just enough not to make me mad.

But I could see through the boy easily, yet I chose not to expose him. “It might be a mental stomachache. Drinking more water should help soothe it.” I tell him, going along with the ruse so he doesn’t get in trouble.

Both Franklin and Sophia released breaths of relief after hearing what Natalie said.

I caressed Franklin’s cheek before turning around to Samuel. “Alpha Bowers, could you kindly get Franklin a glass of warm water?”

went downstairs,

Samuel, who was leaning on the doorframe, nodded slightly and get the water.

At that moment, the only people remaining in the children’s bedroom were me and the siblings.

I furrowed my brows and glared at Franklin. “Franklin, lying is not the right thing to do.”

“Natalie, I-” He stammered because he knew that he had been caught and he was nervous.

I cut him off before he could even finish his sentence. “I’m glad that you wanted to see me, but this isn’t the right way,” I said, my tone serious. “I’m not mad, but I’m definitely disappointed. I care a lot about you, which was why I came in such a hurry. But knowing that you lied to me made me feel as if my worries earlier were useless and ridiculous.”

After hearing that, his expression immediately fell. He tried to say something but he shut his mouth and he looked really bad.

Sophia, too, with her head hung low, stood obediently and listened to my scolding, I can’t believe that sweet little Sophia was in on this too. I mean they just saw me last night and this morning. Why did they have to pull such a stunt like this?

“I’m so sorry, Natalie, please forgive me.” Franklin apologized.

I was glad. “Learning from your mistakes is what I admire from a boy.”

“But…” Franklin hesitated. Then he took a deep breath, like he was mastering up courage, he continued, “Sophia and I would like to see you every day. Could you move in with us?” He asked as I was stomped.

Though Sophia was unable to speak, her lively eyes were filled with anticipation.

I, on the receiving end, was shocked by Franklin’s words.

Move in? With what justification?

I already had my two sweethearts, Xavier and Clayton.

2/3

10:23 Sat, Nov 80

Chapter 43

52

+5 Free Coins

No matter how much I liked Franklin and Sophia and I wished that they were mine. They were ultimately not biologically related to me.

Even if there were various reasons behind the separation of Samuel and their mom, they still had their own mom. It was not my duty to move in and take care of them.

“I can’t.” I refused.

“Why?”

“There’s no reason to that,” I stated with a smile. “You and Sophia have your daddy. Naturally, you also have your mommy. If I move in with you guys, your mommy will be very sad,” she explained patiently.

Upon the mention of their mom, Franklin and Sophia’s expressions darkened.

There was a hint of fear on Sophia’s face as she started rubbing her hands together

What’s happening?

“That woman who only tries to butter us up?” Franklin questioned, his expression livid. “She’s not our mommy!”

3/3